Tom Brittney announces ‘Grantchester’ exit after 5 years
Grantchester star Tom Brittney will be leaving the show next season!
The 32-year-old English actor has played Reverend Will Davenport for five years.
We’re told he’s “stepping back from his role to focus on new projects.”
Brittney joined the cast of ITV’s long-running crime drama in July 2018, when he was revealed as the replacement for original star James Norton.
“I’ve had the most incredible time playing Will Davenport for the last five years,” said Tom Brittney this week.
“I got to solve crimes with my best friend, and work with the best cast and crew I could ever ask for. I’ll miss it more than anything.”
The news comes as filming begins on a ninth season of Grantchester.
James Norton (Happy Valley, McMafia) had played the much-loved Sidney Chambers since the series began in 2014.
While co-star Robson Green nearly quit at the same time, he was persuaded to continue as Geordie and went on to form a wonderful on-screen partnership with Tom Brittney.
“I feel so blessed to be embarking once again on this thrilling journey with the beloved series, Grantchester,” commented Robson Green.
“The anticipation is palpable however, amid the exhilaration, a tinge of sadness lingers for all of us as we are bidding farewell to my close friend and remarkable actor Tom Brittney, whose portrayal of the charismatic Will Davenport will be sorely missed.”
He certainly will be!
Grantchester returned in the US earlier this month on PBS Masterpiece, although we still don’t have a start date in the UK yet for Season 8!
This is the first time a season has debuted in the US before its UK airing.
“It’s the end of an era as we say an emotional farewell to Tom Brittney,” said executive producer Emma Kingsman-Lloyd.
“He’s been extraordinary in the past five series, and we’ll miss him very much.”
Susanne Simpson at Masterpiece added: “It’s so hard to say goodbye to Tom Brittney, who has become a beloved member of the Grantchester ensemble.”
The final scenes featuring Reverend Will Davenport will air when Season 9 premieres in 2024.
As well as starring in Grantchester over the past five years, Brittney also stepped behind the camera to make his directorial debut in last year’s seventh season!
“It was amazing!” he recalled. “It was one of the most fun experiences I’ve had on a set, it’s something I’ve always wanted to do since I was young, I finally got a chance to do it.”
Tom Brittney recently auditioned to be the new Superman, going up against fellow British star Nicholas Hoult (The Great, About a Boy) for the role.
Both actors ultimately lost out to David Corenswet, an American newcomer best known for his roles in House of Cards and Netflix’s Hollywood.
We’re sure this high-profile audition is just the start of Brittney’s rise to bigger things post-Grantchester though and we wish him the best of luck!
Meanwhile, his co-star Robson Green has been busy filming a second season of his brilliant Weekend Escapes series for the BBC.
Grantchester is available to watch on Amazon Prime Video.